Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla called on local leaders to actively support the National Authority for Child Care (NACC) in its alternative care programs, emphasizing foster care and administrative adoption.
Petilla made the appeal during a memorandum of agreement (MOA) signing on Friday, attended by NACC Undersecretary Janella Ejercito-Estrada and the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, Leyte Chapter, led by Palo Mayor Remedios Petilla.
“It’s not enough to just sign a piece of paper,” Petilla said. “We need to ensure that this program is properly implemented in our communities. While the national government plays an important role, local government involvement is crucial. As local leaders, we must offer not just support, but an active partnership — we are, after all, parents too.”
Mayors from 40 towns and municipal social welfare officers signed the agreement, pledging to identify and prepare potential foster and adoptive parents in their communities. Palo Mayor Remedios Petilla highlighted the importance of creating stable, loving families, sharing a personal story of a friend who waited four years to complete her adoption.
Tingog Partylist Representative Jude Acidre also attended, stressing that the program addresses previous challenges in adoption, including bureaucratic delays, court procedures, and high costs. “This event is more than just a formal signing; it represents a shared commitment to making adoption and foster care processes more accessible and efficient,” Acidre said.
Undersecretary Estrada thanked the local leaders for their support, noting that the initiative offers hope and new beginnings for children who are abandoned, neglected, orphaned, abused, or have special needs. “With this agreement, we are creating a future where every child who loses their parents or family has the option of adoption, ensuring they are welcomed into a loving home,” she said.
